The sunny days and mild summer evenings invite us to spend our free time in the garden and on the terrace. But after just a short time outdoors and especially after dark, we notice them - the little bloodsuckers that infest our exposed arms and legs. In addition to the itchy bites, these insects can alsotransmit a number of infectious diseases. Don't let it ruin your summer! In this article you will find out how to get rid of mosquitoes and keep them away from the terrace.
There are supposedly many different methods to keep annoying mosquitoes away from your home and garden. From budgetary resources aboutfragrant plantsto various mosquito repellent devices. Here we summarize all the options so that you can find a suitable remedy for the mosquito plague on your terrace.
If you are dealing with a large infestation of mosquitoes on the terrace, the first question you have to ask yourself is: What actually attracts the mosquitoes and what do the insects not like? Only then can you effectively protect yourself and your family.
The first thing you need to do is prevent the mosquitoes from getting to your patio in the first place. So to do this, you need to remove anything that might attract the insects.
No standing water
Mosquitoes lay eggsin any standing, non-chlorinated water, be it in an inflatable pool or a flower pot. Make sure there is no standing water on the terrace to stop the pests from multiplying. If you have a garden pond, you can, for example, install a small fountain or other water feature so that the water does not stand still.
Change the lighting
You may already know that light attracts mosquitoes. But insects prefer some lights, such as white light. If you want to keep mosquitoes away from the terrace in the evening, use light with a high proportion of yellow, orange or red. The colored light not only protects against annoying mosquitoes, but also creates a very pleasant atmosphere.
Did you know that? LED lamps have a low UV content, making them difficult for mosquitoes and other insects to notice. Since the bloodsuckers don't like LEDs, they usually stay away from living rooms and terraces with LED lighting.
Keep the garden well trimmed
Mosquitoes love the shaded areas created by overgrowth of plants. Bushes, tall grass, and overgrown trees are excellent hiding places for mosquitoes on hot summer days when they need a break from the sun.
A sure way to get rid of many of these pests is to trim hedges, bushes and other greenery to eliminate their hiding places and ensure they have nowhere to live next to your patio.
But don't stop there! Also take a look at your neighbors' gardens. If they are overgrown and provide plenty of shelter for mosquitoes, you should also suggest the idea to them. If everyone joins in and prune their gardens regularly, the mosquitoes will no longer have anywhere nearby to settle.
Avoid scented body products
It has been proven that mosquitoes are attracted to most fragrances used in cosmetic products. So it's not unusual for thatwe ourselves attract the mosquitoes on the terrace. If you don't use scented shower gels and body lotions, you're less likely to get stung.
Use a fan outdoors to drive away mosquitoes
It's not for nothing that in mosquito-rich areas like the tropics you see fans indoors and outdoors. In fact, a fan has been shown to reduce insect landing by 45 to 65 percent with people sitting nearby. A fan not only makes it harder for mosquitoes to fly against the airflow, but also helps disperse the carbon dioxide emitted by humans. So place the fans where you spend most of your time on your patio.
Repel mosquitoes naturally: These options are available
Mosquitoes have a very strong sense of smell. In fact, this is the main reason they are attracted to people and other animals. The carbon dioxide produced when we exhale and many of the scents we give off are irresistible to these pests. Mosquitoes also find a variety of smells unattractive. These can be used to drive away the pests without having to resort to chemicals or other repellents.
Plants as natural remedies against mosquitoes on the terrace
The most environmentally friendly ways to get rid of mosquitoes on the terrace include plants and herbs whose scent keeps the mosquitoes away. You can plant these in pots and next to itSeat on the terraceposition.
Burn coffee grounds and drive away the mosquitoes
If you use it correctly, it isCoffee grounds one of the best home remedies for mosquitoes. If you want to drive away mosquitoes with coffee grounds, you have to burn them. This method is often used by people who work in agriculture. In order for the coffee grounds to repel mosquitoes, they must be completely dry. So you place it on some aluminum foil and add a few drops of grill oil. Then light the liquid, wait until the fire is lit and then smother it with a damp cloth. The smoke will keep the mosquitoes away from the terrace.
Repel mosquitoes with outdoor candles
Drive away the mosquitoes and at the same time create the perfect ambience for a relaxing summer evening with citronella candles. You can do thisDo it yourself using these instructionsand place it on the table or near the seat.
Essential oils help against mosquitoes on the terrace
Even if you're sitting outside, an essential oil diffuser or burner can drive away mosquitoes. You can of course apply the essential oil to the skin, but it must be diluted and therefore less effective. The best essential oils for mosquitoes are lemongrass (citronella), lavender, lemon eucalyptus and rosemary.
Garlic water and vinegar as home remedies for mosquitoes
You can make a simple insect repellent yourself using home remedies such as garlic and vinegar. To drive away mosquitoes with garlic water, first boil a few cloves of garlic. Then use the water you got from cooking, put it in a spray bottle and spray it around the patio. You can also use apple cider vinegar for this as its smell also naturally deters mosquitoes.
Find out how and why garlic repels mosquitoesin this post.
Spray hydrogen peroxide
To make a homemade mosquito repellent, mix one-third hydrogen peroxide and two-thirds water and spray the preparation on your patio and surrounding area, especially where you sit and eat. Opt for 3% hydrogen peroxide to avoid harming the plants.
Repel mosquitoes with cedar oil
A mixture of cedar essential oil diluted with water can be sprayed onto lawns and perennials to repel insects such as flies and mosquitoes. The oil not only keeps mosquitoes away, but can also destroy their eggs.
What helps against mosquitoes on the terrace?
If you've done everything you can to create a hostile environment for mosquitoes and nature's repellents aren't working, then you may need to take tougher measures.
Use anti-mosquito devices
If nothing else works against mosquitoes or you simply don't want to waste time with household resources, you can protect your terrace from the pests with a modern anti-mosquito device.
Mosquito repellent devices come in different versions. Most of them have the advantage that they do not use chemicals and are considered harmless to human health. Instead, use sound waves, radio frequency or blue light to keep the insects away. Most of these devices work with electricity, so all you need is a socket.
There are also mosquito repellents that work without electricity and use a gas cartridge. This heats up special active ingredient plates that create a wide protection zone against mosquitoes for hours.
Drive away mosquitoes on the terrace with smoke
Various incense mixtures, incense spirals and cones offer a cheap alternative to defense devices. The so-called anti-mosquito spirals are well suited for use outdoors and the smoke produced quickly sends the annoying mosquitoes away.
Set up mosquito traps
To keep mosquitoes like mosquitoes away from your patio, you can set up a few mosquito traps. You can either make these yourself or buy them ready-made. Below are a few ideas.
DIY mosquito trap made from water and detergent
To make the simplest mosquito trap, fill a container such as a bucket with water and add some detergent. Since mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs, the water you provide will attract them. However, the detergent removes surface tension and the insects drown. Additionally, you can increase the effectiveness of this trap by shining a light source onto the water, as mosquitoes are also attracted to it.
Mosquito trap in plastic bottle
We have already shown you how to do oneBuild a fly trap from household fundscan. Using the same principle, you can also make your own trap against mosquitoes and set it up next to the seat on the terrace. The disadvantage of this variant is that it doesn't look very nice.
To make the trap for mosquitoes, you need a different filling than the trap for house flies. Mix some water with sugar and add yeast. Carbon dioxide is produced, which attracts insects. So the mosquitoes find their way into the funnel, but because of the small opening they can't find the exit and drown.
